Conservation Articles
Buttonbush for Butterflies and Awesome Aronia
Buttonbush has one of the most unique flowers of any shrub, and butterflies think so too. Aronia’s blueberry-sized black fruits have the highest known levels of antioxidants (anthocyanins and flavonoids) of any temperate fruit, five times higher than cranberry and blueberry, and contain strong anticancer compounds. Both are Vermont natives with wildlife benefits that have earned them spots as our featured discounted shrubs this spring.
Tile Drainage: Good or Bad?
Tile drainage can have many benefits. By more quickly draining extra water from a field, the field can be accessed sooner for planting, crop roots can grow farther down, compaction is reduced, and soil moisture is more often optimal for crop growth. These soil health improvements are key for maintaining productivity in the face of more frequent, intense precipitation and droughts we’ve …
Young Farmers Converge in D.C.
Our District Manager and Fairfield farmer Damien Boomhower were among three Vermonters who traveled to Washington D.C. in November to join young farmers from across the country for the annual Young Farmers Coalition convergence.
ECO*AmeriCorps members aid water quality across Franklin County
Last August marked the third year that ECO*AmeriCorps members have bolstered water quality efforts in Franklin County and throughout Vermont. Members, driven by passion for the environment and curiosity about career paths, bring increasingly impressive expertise from their recent college educations. Brodie Haenke, a graduate of U-Wisconsin, is concluding his second year of service. His first was with the Missisquoi River Basin Association (MRBA) in East Berkshire, and this year he served with the Franklin County Natural Resources…